Nabeel Al Wazzan

Difference between Marketing and Sales



Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008

by Nabeel Al Wazzan
Marketing & Sales Consultants

Some people asked me what the difference between both Marketing and Sales is. There is some minor mix-up between both concepts; especially in the Middle East. Many times I read advertisements in local newspapers that they need a "Good Marketer" to sell a certain product... who should have a car and the rest of the bla bla bla ...

Yes it is funny, but it is a fact that stills some people in high positions at big companies mix up between both. This is why I had to clarify this point and say that a professional differentiation between Marketing & Sales is very slim, although both complete each other, but still both are linked in a way or another. There is a difference between both in practice, While Marketing is the art of creating needs, studying the markets, recommends strategies and states policies and procedures for promoting products and/or Services, Sales execute those policies and procedures in the market.

Apart from this relationship, a marketer role starts from before planning an industry, to check on the market needs, requirements, values, etc... starting from the planning of the product package and appearance, towards the planning of the strategies to sell that product. All during the planning stages; the marketer should be aware of his market, should have all the updated data about the macro environment as well as the micro status surrounding the launch of the new product.

The Sales role comes after, to make sure that the strategies have been implemented, and sales have been done. A wise salesman does not wait for a marketer to draw his annual targets. He should refer to the marketing strategy and accordingly design his own targets and break them down into segments and months. The activity of the salesman in the market rewards the marketing strategy which has been put by the marketer.

So, in short both complete each other, while the first works on studies and planning the second works on execution and feedback.

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